Dispensing container



Aug. 18, 1964 L.. P. LARSON DISPENSING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet l FiledFeb. 16, 1962 F/LG. 3

/NVENTOR OU/5 ,0. LASON Aug. 18, 1964 1 P. LARsoN 3,144,980

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Feb. 16, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTORILOU/5 P. LARSON ,y www Aug. 18, 1964 1 P. LARsoN DISPENSING CONTAINER 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 16, 1962 /NVENTOR r LOU/S P. ARSOW UnitedStates Patent O 3,144,980 UHSRENSING CONTAINER Louis l. Larson,Glendale, Mo., assigner, by mesrie assignments, to Riegel PaperCorporation, New Yorlr, NY., a corporation of Delaware Filed lieb. 16,1962, Ser. No. 173,700 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) This invention relates todispensing containers formed from a foldable blank of paperboard or thelike and used for the packaging of ice cream and other food products.These cartons may be characterized by their adaptation to end loadingand closure, but having a top dispensing opening which is reclosable bya hinged cover.

Cartons of the described general character are now standard items usedby the dairy industry in tremendous quantities and constitute a verycompetitive and highly refined eld of packaging. Such containers arenecessarily adapted to highly mechanized erecting, filling and closuremethods and must be very economical `from the standpoint of material.Nevertheless, the packaging industry has proposed many innovationswhich, in general, have not met with appreciable acceptance even thoughthey may have represented improvements in certain respects. This may beattributed to the fact that they were not competitive economically or ofa character to overcome the inertia of the industry resulting from thecornmonly available carton erecting and filling machines which representsubstantial capital investment. Such machinery is sufficiently complexand lacking in adaptability that variations in carton design are notgenerally feasible.

With this in mind, my -invention provides a carton formed from a blankof favorable competitive dimension and adapted to set--up on thecommonly available erection and filling machines without substantialymodification of the mechanism or the mode or sequence of operationthereof. While maintaining this capability, my carton exhibits importantimprovements including greater' rigidity and dmensional stability of thebody and cover portions and greater facility of reclosure as will behereinafter described in greater detail along with other objects andadvantages of the invention which will be readily apparent from thedescription and the accompanying drawings cf a particular embodiment ofthe invention, in which:

FlGURE l is a plan view of the blank from which my carton is formed,shown in serially nested relation to an adjacent blank in manufacture;

FIGURES 2 and 3 show the steps of folding the blank of FGURE l to formthe collapsed carton with the overlapping margins secured together;

FIGURES 4 to 7, inclusive, are perspective views showing lthe cartonerected to tubular relation for filling and the folding succession ofthe flaps in the end closure;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the erected carton with the coverfront flange being released preparatory to opening the cover;

FIGURE 9 shows a cross sectional View through lines 9 9 of FIGURES;

FIGURE l0 shows a cross sectional view through lines 1li-lll of FIGURE8;

FGURE ll is a perspective View of the carton with the cover in opencondition for dispensing the contents.

Referring to FlGURE l of the drawings, 23 is a unitary paperboard blankfrom which the container may be formed. The blank, which is described interms equally applicable to the erected container, is so cut and scoredas to define in side by side relation a front wall panel 21, a bottompanel 22, rear wall panel 23, cover panel 24 and a cover front flange2S. The beforementioned panels are foldably connected by longitudinalscore lines 26 and have lddh Patented Aug. 18, 1964- end edges definedby closure flap score lines 27. End wall flaps 28 have a bottom edge 27hingedly connected to the bottom panel 22 and are further defined by theouter top edge 29 and free side edges 30. inturned end flaps 31 and 32are hingedly attached to the end edges 27 of the front wall panel 21 andrear wall panel 23 respectively. The bottom panel 22 in conjunction withthe front wall 2l., rear wall 23, end Wall flaps 2S, and inturned flaps31 and 32 comprise the body portion of the blank.

The cover portion` of the blank is formed about the cover panel 24 whichis connected to the top edge of the rear Wall 23 along the longitudinalhinge score line 26 and includes end flanges 33 foldably connected tothe opposed end edges 27 of the cover panel 24. Said end flanges 33extend substantially the full width of the cover panel `and have avertical dimension substantially less than the height of the carton. Theend flanges have free edges dened by a bottom edge 34 and front and rearedges 35-36 respectively.

The cover front flange is hinged to the cover panel 24 alonglongitudinal score line 26 and has a bottom edge 37. The end edges ofthe front flange are determined by the hinge folds 38 which aresubstantially in alignment with the score lines` 27. The hinge folds 38connect the reinforcing tabs 39 to said cover front flange. Thereinforcing tabs 39 are` further determined by an inner end edge 4i) andfree topedge 41 and bottom edge 42 and are substantially reduced invertical height in comparison to the. cover `front flange 25 and arepreferably only slightly less in this vertical dimension than the coverend flanges 33. The front flange glue lap portion 43 extends below thebottom edges 42 of the reinforcing tabs and is preferably separated fromthe fixed flange portion 44 of the cover `front flange 25 by a ribbonportion 45 which is determined by the spaced apart parallel lines ofperforation 46. Said lines of perforation connected on their end edgesby linesof severance 47 which may extend slightly into at least one ofthe reinforcing tabs 39 to determine a grip tab 48.

It is to be noted that while the extremities of the blank as defined ybythe outermost edges of the various flanges, walls and flaps is quiteirregular due to the precise proport-ions of these blank sections,nevertheless, said blanks are economical to manufacture in that theyrest together in serial relation when die cut two or more at a time outof a sheet or strip of paperboard as shown in FIGURE l. ln theparticular embodiment shown, one of the inturned flaps 31 is recessed at50 to accommodate the inner end edge 4t) of an adjacent paperboard blankto maximize the nesting of the blanks to attain greatest possibleeconomy of board. However, this provision for nesting is variabledepending upon the size and conformation of the container in which theinvention may be embodied.

In this connection, the inturned flaps 31 and 32 are shown of varyinglength in FIGURE l but this is merely a particular requirement of thecommercial embodiment of an ice cream carton which is described and ismerely a requirement dictated by the set-up machinery used in thedairies.` This varying length of the flaps adapts the present novelcarton design to the triggering of the mechanisms and the sequentialfolding of the closure flaps of and by these machines. The invention maybe as readily embodied in a carton wherein the inturned` flaps 31 and 32are of various length dimension measured from their hinged connection 27to their inner ends S1 and 52 respectively, as for example they may beone-half the Width of the carton and thus substantially abut in thecenter or may be overlapping to various degrees. The inturned flaps 31and 32 have a vertical dimension extending from bottom edges 53 to a topedge 54 substantially on a level with the top of the carton Walls and arecessed top edge 55 which will attain a position spaced downwardly fromthe wall top edges of the erected carton by substantially the verticalheight dimension of the cover end flanges 33. Intervening the top edge54 and recessed edge 55 is a substantially vertical edge 56 which may becontoured or inclined as convenience dictates.

As a further stage in the manufacture of the carton, the carton blankfront wall 21 and cover panel 24 may be infolded on their innermosthinge connections 26 of the blank to attain an overlapping relationshipto each other and llatwise to the subjacent portions of the blank asshown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The glue lap portion 43 of the cover frontllange 2S is preferably adhesively secured to the subjacent portions ofthe carton front wall 21. Thus the carton is completed in collapsed formfor shipment to the user for erecting and lilling.

A method of erecting, lilling and the securing of the carton end wallsand llaps is shown in FIGURES 4-7 in which FIGURE 4 shows the cartonfront, back, cover and bottom walls erected to tubular relation and theclosure llaps on one end along with the cover end flange and reinforcingtab inturned preparatory to filling the container with the contents andthe linal sealing of the end closures. The end closures of the cartonare similarly folded and secured on each end, the first step being theinfolding of the end wall llap 28 and the paired cover end flanges 33into overlapping relation as shown in FIGURE 5. Thereafter, the inturnedllap 31 attached to the front wall is infolded along with the coverreinforcing tab 39. Thus the recessed edge 55 portion of the inturnedllap 31 is superimposed over the bottom portions of the end wall ilap 28and the reinforcing tab 39 is superimposed over the front end 35 marginof the cover end llange 33 and in part over the full depth portion ofthe inturned flap 31 determined by the top edge 54 adjacent the frontwall hinge line as shown in FIGURE 6. Substantially simultaneously therear wall inturned llap 32 is infolded with its full depth portionoverlying the rear extremity 36 of the cover flange 33 and with itsrecessed edge 55 falling substantially at or below the cover end llange33 bottom edge 34.

In the particular embodiment disclosed, wherein the invention resides inan ice cream carton, the carton is preferably sealed by the use of hotmelt adhesive as shown in FIGURE 7 wherein the carton is passed betweenspaced apart heated members or belts 60 to secure bonding of overlappingcarton portions through the medium of preapplied hot melt adhesive orthermo plastic coatings in accordance with conventional practice. Anarrow ribbon or strip of hot melt adhesive 49, as shown in FIGURE 6,may be advantageously applied to the end margins of the reinforcing tabs39 to obtain bonding to the subjacent cover end flange 33. A secondstrip f the adhesive 49, FIGURE 6, is applied to the outer one of theinturned llaps 31 or 32 end margin to obtain adhesive bond to thesubjacent end margin of the opposed inturned ilap. It has been foundthat the short interval of heat application required for the sealing ofthe carton closures is such that it is not deleterious to the cartoncontents whether they be partially frozen or otherwise. Preferably thestrips of hot melt adhesive 49 are preapplied to the carton blanksbefore the preliminary assembly of the manufacturers joint.

The erected carton is shown in perspective view in FIGURE 8 where it isdisposed resting on its bottom panel 22, not shown, in the normalposition for the opening of the cover preparatory to the dispensing ofthe contents. Means for releasing the cover panel 24 are showncomprising a ribbon portion 45 of the cover front llange which may bereadily separated by grasping the grip tab 48 and pulling outwardly tosever the ribbon portion 45 along the spaced apart lines of perforation46. By this means, the cover portion of the carton including thedepending cover xed flange 44 and end llanges 33 are separated from thecontainer body for opening along the hinge connection to the containerrear wall 23 along the longitudinal score 26. It is to be particularlynoted that in the free swinging condition of the cover, adapted toopening and reclosing as shown in FIGURE 1l, the beforementioneddepending front 44 and end 33 flanges are in fixed relation, securedtogether by the reinforcing tab 39, and remain in substantiallyperpendicular relation to the cover panel 24 so that they cannotinterfere with the reclosing of the carton. The end flanges have anatural tendency to flare outwardly resulting from the tension of thecover llange scores. This prevents the flanges from becoming inturnedand possibly imbedding in the contents of the container or otherwiseinterfering With the reclosing. Thus, the necessity of carefully guidinginto prescribed position the usual discrete cover flanges as in priorice cream cartons is avoided. Nevertheless, the rigid, dimensionallystable, adhesively secured cover flanges of the present invention areadapted to frictionally engage the top margins of the container bodyportion to adequately secure the cover in closed position for repeatedusage of the carton.

As beforementioned, the cover front flange 25 is secured to thecontainer front wall 21 by the carton manufacture. This adhesiveconnection may be termed a manufacturers joint and is shown in moredetail in FIGURE 9 which is a cross sectional view through lines 9-9 ofFIGURE 8. In this view, the glue lap portion 43 is securely adhesivelybonded to the front wall panel 21, maintaining the cover in secureclosed relation during filling, shipment and handling prior to ultimateusage by the consumer. The ribbon portion 45 separates the glue lap 43from the Xed flange 44 of the cover and as beforementioned upon theseverance of the ribbon portion along the lines of perforation 46 thecover is adapted to swinging movement about the longitudinal score line26 determining the top edge of the rear wall panel 23 as shown in FIGURE11.

Further detail as to the means for releasing the cover front flange isshown in FIGURE 10 which is a cross sectional view through lines 10-10of FIGURE 8 and particularly shows the grip tab 48 projecting at theends of the ribbon portion 45 and extending outwardly from thereinforcing tab 38 to permit manually grasping the same for releasingthe cover.

The container with the cover open is shown in perspective view in FIGURE11 wherein it is to be particularly noted that the end wall constructionof the carton body portion comprised of two plies formed from the endclosure llaps of the container, more particularly the end wall llap 28and inturned llaps 31-32 and that the outer one of these plies, in thiscase the inturned llaps 31-32, have a portion 55 at least of the topmargin recessed below the top edge 54 of the container which normallyabuts the inner face of the cover panel 24 when in closed position. Itis this recess which particularly permits the closure llaps to beinturned, as described and shown in FIGURES 4-6, in normal succession bythe conventional filling and carton set-up machinery and yet stillobtain the advantageously hinged, fixed flange cover construction asherein described. It is to be noted that the invention may be equallyadapted to other types of end closure shipping or master cartons whichare sealed on conventional case sealing equipment but wherein the llapsare normally folded such that the inturned llaps 31 and 32 with thereinforcing tabs 39 in flatwise relation thereon are folded on theinside with the end wall llap 28 and cover end llanges 33 on theoutside. This only requires the consistent practice that the outer plyof such end wall closure be recessed, in part, downwardly from the topedge so that the cover end flange 33 and reinforcing tabs 39 come intocontacting flatwise relation to permit permanent securing thereof. Insome instances, where such cartons may be subjected to considerableshock or stress, the cover end flange 33, in the proximity of the rearedge 36, may be releasably adhered to the subjacent outer ply 0f thecontainer end closure. This adhesive bond may be readily broken by theshearing action resulting from the swinging open of the cover.

It is to be understood that the lembodiment herein particularlydescribed and the variations thereof are illustrative and notrestrictive, it is also to be understood that the invention may besusceptible of embodiment in other modified forms, and that all suchmodifications which are similar or equivalent hereto come equally withinthe scope of the claims next appearing.

What l claim is:

1. A telescopically reclosable chest-type ice cream carton formed from aone-piece, scored, oldable blank, comprising (a) a front wall, a backwall and end walls extending upwardly for substantially the full depthof the carton from respective edges of a bottom wall and terminating attop edges in substantially the same plane,

(b) said walls defining a rectangular body,

(c) a cover panel integral with said rear wall and hingedly connectedthereto at the top edge,

(d) said cover panel having end fianges integral with and extendingdownwardly from its end edges, said end flanges having front and backportions adjacent said front and back walls respectively, said coverpanel having a front fiange integral with and extending downwardly fromits front edge,

(e) front and back in-turned ilaps articulated respectively to saidfront and back walls at the edges thereof and being adapted to securefixedly said body walls in said rectangular relation,

(f) said flaps being disposed over at least a portion of each end wallpanel and including sealing portions adjacent the free edges thereof,

(g) said sealing portions extending upwardly from the bottom edge ofsaid body to a point not beyond the free edges of said downwardlyextending cover end flanges,

(h) said back flaps being comprised of said sealing portions of lessthan full carton depth and adjacent, integral, substantially full-depthback sandwiching portions,

(i) said back sandwiching portions being immediately adjacent the edgesof said back wall,

(j) said sandwiching portions being maintained in a predeterminedunsecured faCe-to-face relation with adjacent parts of an upper portionof each end wall to define spaces into which the back end portions ofthe end flanges of the cover panel are sandwiched,

(k) said front cover flanges including in-turned cover reinforcing tabsattached to the free edges thereof, and

(l) said reinforcing tabs extending inwardly and having sealing portionsalong the free edges thereof,

(m) said cover reinforcing tabs being adapted to secure iixedly saidcover front flange and said cover end flanges in a perpendicularrelation,

(n) said cover front llange including means for adhesively securing saidcover panel in closed position and means for releasing said front coverflange comprising a manually separable portion,

(o) said cover flanges and cover panel defining a free swinging,reclosable chest-type cover,

(p) the integrity of said body and said chest-type covering beingmaintained and the end of said carton being completely closed by thesealing of said front flaps, back laps and cover reinforcing tabs.

2. The carton of claim l, in which (a) said sealing portions lie insubstantially narrow vertical region parallel with the central verticalaxis of said body.

3. The carton of claim l, in which (a) said sealing portions of thefront and back inturned liaps are overlapped.

4. The carton of claim 1, in which (a) said front flaps, back flaps, andcover reinforcing tabs are sealed with a heat sealant.

5. The carton of claim l, in which (a) said front flaps are comprised offull depth sandwiching portions and said sealing portions,

(b) said full depth sandwiching portions are maintained in apredetermined unsecured face-to-face relation with adjacent parts of anupper portion of each end wall to define spaces into which the front endportions of the end flanges of the cover panel are sandwiched.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,509,383 Walter Sept. 23, 1924 2,218,509 Goodyear Oct. 22, 19403,018,942 Arneson Jan. 30, 1962

1. A TELESCOPICALLY RECLOSABLE CHEST-TYPE ICE CREAM CARTON FORMED FROM AONE-PIECE, SCORED, FOLDABLE BLANK, COMPRISING (A) A FRONT WALL, A BACKWALL AND END WALLS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FOR SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL DEPTHOF THE CARTON FROM RESPECTIVE EDGES OF A BOTTOM WALL AND TERMINATING ATTOP EDGES IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE, (B) SAID WALLS DEFINING ARECTANGULAR BODY, (C) A COVER PANEL INTEGRAL WITH SAID REAR WALL ANDHINGEDLY CONNECTED THERETO AT THE TOP EDGE, (D) SAID COVER PANEL HAVINGEND FLANGES INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM ITS END EDGES,SAID END FLANGES HAVING FRONT AND BACK PORTIONS ADJACENT SAID FRONT ANDBACK WALLS RESPECTIVELY, SAID COVER PANEL HAVING A FRONT FLANGE INTEGRALWITH AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM ITS FRONT EDGE, (E) FRONT AND BACKIN-TURNED FLAPS ARTICULATED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID FRONT AND BACK WALLS ATTHE EDGES THEREOF AND BEING ADAPTED TO SECURE FIXEDLY SAID BODY WALLS INSAID RECTANGULAR RELATION, (F) SAID FLAPS BEING DISPOSED OVER AT LEAST APORTION OF EACH END WALL PANEL AND INCLUDING SEALING PORTIONS ADJACENTTHE FREE EDGES THEREOF, (G) SAID SEALING PORTIONS EXTENDING UPWARDLYFROM THE BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID BODY TO A POINT NOT BEYOND THE FREE EDGESOF SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING COVER END FLANGES,